Water-gate.



PATENTED JUNE 19, 1906.

A.'J.OOLLAR. WATER GATE.

APPLICATION IILED AUG.24, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

- Witnesses:-

PATENTED JUNElQ, 1906.

A- J-- COLLAR. WATER GATE.

APPLICATION-FILED AUG.24. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

(CED) Mtnesses:-

weeds, and other-floating i a tendency toclog the gates and-possibly re-1 JiADwlRAM OLL RJO -Y E CALIFORMAL I QwATERj'GAT i V l Toall whomk it mywmemi Be it known that L-AJJONIRAM' J JCOLLA-R,

a citizen oftheUnited States, residing at Yreka', inthecountyof Siskiyou and State-of Galifornia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Water-Gates, of which the fol lowing is a specification: J My inventionrelates to improvements in water-gates for ditches, canals, restraining dams, reservoirs, and the like.

' Great difficulty is often experiencedi opening and closing ordinary water-gates of large size owing to the amount of power required; Furthermore ,-where-a very considerable head of water is to be controlled, as in canals and other places, it is necessary to use a number of- Ordinary gates, each gate with its separate passage-way and complement of wood, iron,- ormasonrywork. This is very expensive, besides being objectionable in-flood time by reason oftheob'structions thereby offered across the stream to logs, brush, debris which have sult inmost serious damage, as byoverfiow. Itis the object-of my invention to provide agate capable of controlling a far greater flow of water than any other single gateof which I have knowledge ,"which requires little orno manual'exertion to openorclose, which offers no obstruction tothe passing flood, and which is simple in construction, durable, and practical. i I

iItconsistsofthe parts and the construct'ionand combination of parts, as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference -:.to--theaccompanying drawings,

whichg v Figure 1 is'a longitudinal vertical-section of my apparatus. Fig. 2 is a plan view of I same. :Fig'. 3- is a front side view of the gate a'ndwe'ns; mitting certain parts of the apparatus; 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a modification of the invention.

A represents a ditch, canal, head of a reservoir, or any water-container through or from which a certain and determinate supply is adapted or desired to be passed either continually or periodically.

' 2 is a gate,shown as a flat plate seating onthe slightly-inclined seats 3. The latter may be'of wood, stone, or metal, or built into the concretefoundations or formed in the sides and bottom of the canal or ditch When the gate is closed, it is supported on'its seat on the specif cation of Patent.

iPatentedJune 19,1966

sides and bottom, and, if desired,- a suitable rubber or likegask et' may be carried by; one

or the other of the contiguous parts to'insure atight joint. The gate may beof wood-or metal -and of any desired size, andit maybe rectangular, as here'shown, orany other-suit able shape. i

Arranged at a-suitable distance behind the gate and somewhatfabove the'center of the gate, and preferably out of all ,-int'erference= with thepassingflood beneath, are the cross: ,beam's- 4. .7 These beams are. suitably an chored and braced or trussed and maybe of wood ormetal and of such'con struction, like the gate, commensuratewith thestrain: tobe put upon them.- I 1 a -.1?'v.oted to the beams eior-toiany other suitable support are the radius rodsor beams orframes -5, their-size. and character depend{ ing on their specific construction and-the latter;dependin on the size of the'gate; I shall termthem. rods 'n; this specification, and that is understood to cover all sizes and'forms of construction; These radius-rods-are preferably. arranged in series, with two "or more disposedin the same vertical plane in each series. The rear ends'oftherods 5 are-pivot-, ally connected tothe cross-beams 4, as at 6,-

,and the forward ends ofthe rods arepivotally connected to'the gate, the upper rods of theseveral series near the top of the gate and the-lower rods offth'e series nearthe bottom ofrthe gate. Thedisposition of the-pivots 6 of .the rods relativeto the gate and to the inclination of "the: latter when closedis such that with-thegate closed the rods will tilt downward from:pivots 6 and include acute; angles betweentheir upper. ed esfand. the portion of the gate above the-r0 s; .In other words, the ate passesover center in seating, and on the Tifting of the rods to turn them on their pivots 6 the gate is made to swing out from its seat in an are described from pivots 6. This is for the-purpose of'starting the gate from its seat before attempting to open it, since otherwise in a big gate ten or twenty I feet, more. or less, in length and five or more feet in depth it would be almost impossible to slide a gate upward on its seat, owin to the tremendousthrust exertedby the b0 y of water. i 5 The manner of attaching the rods to the gate and their mode of o eration are as fol:

lows: Thefront end of eac rod instead of .be-

ing perfectly square is--slightly inclined, so

that the lower edge of a rod is a trifle longer than the upper edge. A stirrup 7 is secured to and projects beyond the forward end of each rod and incloses and houses an end of a long roller 8. There are two or more of these rollers, depending on the number of rods in a series, and extending parallel and across the back of the gate. These rollers are supported thereon to have a limited up-and-down movement transverse to their length in the guides or stops 9.

I have here shown for simplicity of operation but two rollers and but two series of radius-rods and but two rods in each series. Obviously I may multiply these parts as the exigencies of any particular case may require. The rollers are supported between the ends of the rods and the gate by the stirrups 7 and bear on metal plates 10 on the gate. The function of the rollers is that of antifrictional bearings. The stirrups 7 are of such form and size as to permit a limited movement of the forward ends of the rods independent of the rollers. When the gate is closed, the rollers rest on the bottom of the guides 9 on the gate, and the front ends of the rods are supported on the rollers at the top of the stirrups or housings 7, the rollers being pressed against the ends of the rods by the thrust of the water on the gate. Lifting the rods causes the rollers to roll up on the plates to the top of the guides 9 and down on the ends of the rods to the bottom of the stirrups 7, the rods thus having an oscillatory move ment independent of the gate and equal to the travel of the rollers in the guides 9 plus the travel of the rollers in the stirrups 7. This independent oscillatory movement of the rods results in a forward or horizontal non-oscillatory movement of the gate away from its seat and against the body of restrained water. This preliminary forward movement of the gate to free it from its seat, and thereby make it easier to open, results, as before indicated, from the elevated position of the rear pivots 6 of the rods and the general arrangement of the parts which permits the gate to stand below its center of oscillation when closed. Naturally when the rods are lifted their forward ends describe an arc upward and toward the body of restraind water, and the loose pivoting of the rollers in the stirrups 7 and guides 9 permits a movement of the gate substantially at right angles to its seat prior to its being lifted. The gate is preferably arranged with its top slightly backwardly inclined from the perpendicular when closed, so that as the gate is lifted the water escaping beneath the gate will assist in its further opening. The amount of incline of course that is given to the gate and its seats is proportionate with the pressure, the means to close the gate, and the various other agencies and instrumentalities needing consideration. Any appropriate means whatever may be employed to turn the radius-rods on their pivots 6 to cause the gate to open and close. I prefer to have the means for operating the gate work automatically as far as possible and to that end have here shown certain hydraulic appliances for that purpose.

1.1 represents two receptacles or wells disposed one on each side of and a little behind the gate, with a float 12 operating in each. Each float is provided with an upright stem 13, suitably perforated, as shown at 14. The radius-rods are pivotally connected to vertical standards 15, which support a cross-head 16, having arms extending out to either side and over a respective well 11; and along the side of a float-stem 13.

The ends of the cross-head 16 have each a suitable means, as shown at 17, to engage a perforation in the stem 13. The points of connection of the stem to the cross-head dctermines the amount the gate is to be opened, since it is designed that if the float isconnected near to the cross-head it will open the gate a less distance than if a longer amount of stem intervenes between a float and the cross-head. Vater is let into the wells to raise the floats simultaneously, and it is discharged therefrom to allow the floats to fall and close the gate by the following means: At a suitable point I have shown a tank 18, connected with the body of restrained water through a conduit or pipe 19, having a (lischarge downward into the tank. The latter has an outlet 20 in its bottom, and l. have shown a valve 2], which is adapted alternately to open or close the inlet 19 and correspondingly close or open the discharge 20. The inlet 19 and the discharge 20 are disposed in vertical line, and. the valve 21, is made with a double seating portion and is supported to reciprocate between the inlet 19 and the discharge 20, being connected to a stem 22, sliding in suitable guides 23. Any suitable means may be employed to reciprocate the stem and valve.

The two wells 11 are connected near their bottom, as shown at 24, and the tank 18 is connected with the wells, as at 25, at some suitable point below the inlet 19. When valve 21 is seated over the outlet 20, water under control in the canal or reservoir may flow into tank 18 and thence into wells 1 1 to raise the floats. If the floats are connected with the cross-head 16, the radius-rods will be lifted and the gates opened. The amount that the gates shall open maybe determined, as before indicated, by attaching the stems 13 at the proper point to the cross-head, since the floats will always rise to the level of the restrained body of water. When it is desired to close the gate, the valve is moved to close the inlet 19 and open the discharge 20, whereupon the wells 11 are gradually drained, and the gate is closed by the weight of the falling gate. then-the wells ls' t 'described." 51f 1 weight of these floats is suflicient always 'to Then by lettlng floats Suspended on the cross-head. The

close the, gate irrespective of the volume of water confined.

' In order to adjustthe float relative to the cross head,"-and so vary the opening of the gate, a suflicientbody of water is let into'the wells just to buoy'up the floats and not press up on the cross-head, so that the stems can be easily disengaged from their attachments 17. in morewater or discharging some the floats may be raised or lowered and again connected to the cross-head. In order water that this gatemayoperateautomatically in the event of flood, or if for any other reason it is desired to open the gate whenever the approaches the top of the gate, I provide an overflow connection 26, discharging into the 'tank'lS. If

the aniount of this overflow is in eXcess-of'the discharge'throu I 2O, this excess will pass into the wells 11 and I evenly lift thefloats I water-falls belowthe overfl'ow;26"the I and correspondingly level oftherestrained wells open the'gate, j As the will drain themselvesand the gate will evenly "close. '1v I 1; It'is the design fofmy inventionthatwhen ever the gate is in itsnorm'al position the, wells I shouldbei emptied: 1 Thus if the closed, BSle. normal position 0 the will beernptied, a'sII have j gate. is its open positiom: as might beg under I employedin this cja'sejas I I-donot deemfit necessary'here toredescribe be understood, how- I ever,jthat'.whenthe inlet 19is open-and the outlet .20 closed the I the eylinders 11*? to raise thefloats and'close I some. circumstances,

that thejWells should ,closing of the gate should be flooding of thewells,jwhichis just'the reverse of -the previously-described,operation. v y-In Fig; 4 I have 4Q!" I when-thelfloats;rise; ,1The-cn1y change {here I I necessary isfthe interposition of somemean vas the levers-168, between theends of' thef 'crosshead'sI6andthe float-st ms13.- Inas-j much as thesameconstruction ofradius-rods 1 for supporting, and lifting the gates andthe same valve means, for flooding the wells are I I indicated .a construction whichadaptsjthexgate to: operate J to close is shown in-JFigs-.

nor show them.' It: will 'fihegate'. f 1 It is possible that variousmodiflcations in y 17 11 may be made without departng he principle thereof,-and I do not I wish to be understood aslimiting myself to described.

1 the specific construction as'her'ein shown and Havingthus described invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat- I I I I I 1.,A gate provided withsuitable seats,

means ,for" moving said gate horizontally. to

.one side thereof, and

the normalpositioniof the it is desirablejsthen also be, emptiedf'and' that the: ,efl'ectednby a crum'edfat water will flow into I free it from its seats and'then verticallyitot open the gate, said means including radius rods pivotally connected to thegate and fulcrumed at one side of the latter. I o 2. The combination witha conduit of a gate seating therein, said clined downward in the direction of currentflow, and means "for giving said gate first a gate slightly inlimitedhorizontal movement in the direction ally connected with the gate and fulcrumed atone side thereof, and nected with a conduit bersito open the gate.

hydraulic means con 5; The combination with a conduit of a gate seating therein, radial'members' pivotally connected withbetween saidmembers; and the gate permit one side of the gate and: roller bearin'g, and

and the gate. 1 1.

The combinati n; ea a conduit for a? one side of the gate,'and*rol lers -1n a gate seating therein,;radialf members' ful-' terposed between theendslof said members said rollers.

members to-support I e comblnation with a conduit ofa to operate said mem -f,

the gate and fulcrumed atoneside" thereof, said pivotal connections 1 II I1 ting'ofalimitedoscillatory-'movementof the r I members and] a corresponding but .non-os-f f-Q 'i 'cilla'torymovement of the gate. V f v6... The combinationin seating therein, radial members fulcrumed at loo ivotal,connections between said-members I? gate'rseating atherein, radial members "fulcruined atxoneside of the gate and pivotally nections including-"rollers interposed between J the ends of said members and the gate and having a limited movement independent of saidmember's.

jeonnectedlwith the latter, saidfpivotal con-n *9. The combination a conduit of a theends of said members and the gate and having a limited movement independent of c Isaid I gate r 10, 'Thefcombination with a condult, of a gate seating therein, radial members ful- ,crumediat one side of the gate and pivotally connected with theclatter, said pivotal connections including rollers interposed between a conduit;of}; gat 1 and the'gate, and In eans on the gateand- I gate seating therein, and means to open said ate, said I I lcrumed atone side of-the gate and having" a beveled end proximate to the gate, and

means including a radius member v 5 bers, and means for charging and discharging & 823,991

connected with the gate, receptacles on either side of the gate, floats in the receptacle, adjustable connections between the floats and the members, and valve-controlled connections between the conduit and the receptacles to charge and to discharge the latter.

1?. The combination with a conduit of a gate seating therein, radial members connecting with the gate, receptacles on either side of the gate, floats in said receptacles, stems on said floats, adjustable connections between said stems and the radial members, and coni nections between the conduit and the receptacles to operate the gate automatically.

18. The combination with a conduit of a gate seating therein, radial members pivotlly connected with the gate, receptacles on either side of the gate, floats in said receptacles, a tank connected with the receptacles and with the conduit, said tank having an outlet and a valve operating to control both the inlet and outlet of said tank.

19.' The combination. of a gate having inclined seats, radial members fulcrumed at one side of the gate and above the horizontal center thereof, and hydraulically-operated means for oscillating said. members to open and close the gate.

20. The combination with a conduit, of a gate seating therein, and means to open said gate, said means including a radius member fulcrumed to one side of the ate and having a beveled end proximate to file gate, a roller interposed between said beveled end and the gate, means for supporting said roller on the gate and on said beveled end to permit movement of the roller across said beveled end, and hydraulically-operated connections between said member and the restrained fluid in the conduit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witmeans for supporting said roller on the gate and on said beveled end to permit movement of the roller across said beveled end.

11.,The combination with a conduit of a l gate seating therein, and means for operating said gate, said means including upper and lower radial members fulcrumed at one side of the gate and above the horizontal center I thereof, and having pivotal connections respectively near the top and bottom of the gate.- 12. The combination with a conduit of a l gate seating therein, and means for operating said gate, said means including upper and lower radial members fulcrumed at one side of the gate and above the horizontal center thereof, said members having pivotal con-' nections with the ate respectively near the top and bottom 0% the gate, and means for turning said members on their fulcra.

13. The combination with a conduit of a gate seating therein, and means for operating said gate, said means including upper and lower radial members pivoted at one side of the gate and above the horizontal center thereof, and pivoted to the gate respectively near the top and bottom of the gate, and hydraulically-operated connections with the restrained fluid in the conduit for operating said members.

14. The combination with a conduit of a gate seating therein, and means to operate said gate, said means including radial members pivotally connected with the gate, a receptacle, a float in said receptacle, connections between the float and said radial memsaid receptacle to reciprocate the float.

15. The combination with a conduit of a l gate seating therein, radial members connected with the gate, receptacles on oppoi site sides of the gate, floats in said receptacles, connections between the floats and the nesses.

radial members, and means for charging and I discharging said receptacles to reciprocate ADONIRAM COLLAR the floats and open or close the gate. Witnesses:

D. B. RICHARDS,

16. The combination with a conduit of a S. H. NOURSE.

gate seating therein, radial members pivotally 

